The National Treasury Management Agency has said the national debt increased by €1.6 billion during 2007 to stand at €37.6 billion at the end of the year.
But as a percentage of total economic output, the debt fell from 23.6% to 23.3%. Ireland debt level continues to be one of the lowest in the EU.
The Exchequer made interest payments of €1.6 billion on the debt last year, down from to €1.8 billion in 2006.
The NTMA is also responsible for buying carbon credits needed to meet Ireland's obligations under Kyoto agreement on carbon emissions. It invested €3.7m in buying these last year.
The agency also manages personal injury, property damage and clinical claims brought against the Government and State agencies. It currently handles 4,500 claims, with a potential liability of €565m.
It says the numbers of employer liability and public liability claims have fallen since 2002, but the total number of claims has risen due to new categories such as hearing loss and child sexual abuse. The State Claims Agency received 1,493 new claims and resolved 1,258 in 2007.
